Cucumbers are a favorite vegetable that grows well in all soil and climate zones provided the growing technology is followed. To obtain a high yield, suitable amounts of organic and mineral fertilizers must be applied to the soil. In addition, nutrition should be corrected during the growing season in the critical growth and development phases of cucumber plants.
The most important periods of mineral nutrition of the crop are as follows:
- Phase of 2–3 true leaves. The root system begins to form and plants need phosphorus. Since active development of powdery and downy mildew fungi, which are extremely harmful to cucumbers, starts at the same time, foliar feeding with phosphorus in the form of phosphite should be carried out. Our recommendation is ECOLINE Phosphite (K) at 1.5–2.0 l/ha.
- Period of active growth, budding and flowering. The plant forms a large number of flowers, so it is important to supply boron and other microelements to regulate flowering and photosynthesis. We recommend applying ECOLINE Boron (Premium) 2.0 l/ha in two or three passes with the addition of a microelement complex ECOLINE Magnesium (Chelates) or ECOLINE Cereal (Chelates) at 1.0 l/ha each.
- Start of harvesting. The fruiting period of cucumbers is extended in time. To support the formation of flowers and, accordingly, fruits, after the first harvest we recommend 2–3 foliar feedings with the tank mixture ECOLINE Boron (Organic) 1.0 l/ha + GROS Quicelium 1.0 l/ha.
The scheme above is also relevant for cucumber seed production crops.